There was a man who played the piano in a small bar. There were not too many 36 , but because he was a good piano player, some people 37 came in every night just to hear him play. But one night, a patron (老主顾) told him he didn’t want to hear him play but to sing a song.
The man said, “I have never 38 that before in public. I think I’m 39 at playing the piano.”
But the customer 40 . He told the waiter, “I’m 41 listening to the piano day after day. I want to hear something new and I want that guy to sing.”
The waiter 42 across the room, “Hey, buddy! If you want to get 43 , sing a song. The patrons are asking you to sing!”
44 in order to bring some money home that night, the piano player who had never sung in public did so for the very first time. And 45 had ever heard the song Mona Lisa sung before 46 that night by Nat King Cole, and it surprised all, including the 47 himself!
He had talent he was 48 on! He may have lived the rest of his life as a no-name piano player in a no-name bar, but because he had to sing, he 49 to bee one of the best-known entertainers in America.
You, too, have skills and 50 . You may not feel as if your “talent” is particularly 51 , but it may be better than you think! And with persistence (坚持), most skills can be 52 . Besides, you may as well have no ability at all if you sit on whatever talent you 53 ! The 54 is not “What ability do I have that is useful?” It is 55 “How will I use whatever ability I have?”.
Just think a minute…
【小题1】A．waiters B．customers C．singersD．players【小题2】A．neverB．still C．ever D．only【小题3】A．practiced B．shown C．dreamedD．done【小题4】A．betterB．richer C．easierD．sooner【小题5】A．agreed B．confused C．insisted D．charged【小题6】A．familiar withB．fond ofC．used toD．tired of【小题7】A．served B．explainedC．shoutedD．plained【小题8】A．changed B．broadcast C．paid D．drunk【小题9】A．So B．And C．BecauseD．But【小题10】A．nobodyB．anybody C．somebody D．everybody【小题11】A．until B．after C．sinceD．when【小题12】A．waiter B．singer C．patronD．owner【小题13】A．sitting B．waiting C．depending D．playing【小题14】A．went upB．went onC．went off D．went away【小题15】A．advantages B．characterC．principleD．abilities【小题16】A．uniqueB．surprising C．famousD．great【小题17】A．recognizedB．wasted C．improved D．impressed【小题18】A．imagine B．possess C．expectD．develop【小题19】A．decision B．answer C．question D．solution【小题20】A．even B．rather C．prettyD．fairlyB
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(答案→)B
解析：本文通过一个无名的弹琴的酒吧钢琴师被迫唱歌，却发现自己原来还有如此出色的歌喉，最终成为美国很受欢迎的娱乐人物的故事来告诉我们要大胆的表现我们的才能，不要让才能堙没了。问题不是我的什么技能是有用的？而是我如何来运用我所拥有的技能？
【小题1】B 名词辨析。A服务员B顾客C歌手D队员；在酒吧里听音乐的应该是指顾客。
【小题2】B 副词辨析。A从未B仍然C曾经D仅仅；因为他的钢琴弹得很好，一些人仍然每天都来听他弹钢琴。
【小题3】D 动词辨析。A练习B表现C梦想D做；指他从来没有在公众场所做过这样的事情—唱歌。
【小题4】A 语法分析。这里的better是good的比较级；be good at…擅长于…；他认为自己更擅长与弹琴。
【小题5】C 动词辨析。A同意B使…困惑C坚持D要价；但是这位顾客坚持要求他唱歌而不是弹琴。
【小题6】D 短语辨析。A熟悉B喜欢C过去常常D厌倦；他厌倦了每天都听谈钢琴，想听这个人唱歌。
【小题7】C 动词辨析。A服务B解释C大喊D抱怨；根据across说明服务员是在酒吧是另外一边，只有大喊才能放地方听见他的话。
【小题8】C 上下文串联。根据下段第一行bring some money说明是为了获得保持get paid。
【小题9】A 上下文串联。他成功是因为要得到保持，所以才这样做。上下文存在着因果关系。
【小题10】A 用法分析。本题和下一题是固定的连词not…until…的句型；直到这个晚上才有人用这样的方式来唱Mona Lisa这首歌。
【小题11】A 连词辨析。这是not…until…的固定句型。
【小题12】B 名词辨析。A服务员B歌手C老主顾D主人；包括这位歌手自己都被惊呆了。说明这首歌唱得很好。
【小题13】A 上下文串联。根据下文倒数第三行if you sit on说明A正确。他有着不外露的才干，如果他不表现出这个才干，就一直会是一个无名的谈钢琴的人。
【小题14】B 短语辨析。A上涨B继续C熄灭D走开；因为他唱了这首歌，他将继续前进成为最有名的娱乐人士。
【小题15】D 名词辨析。A优势B性格C原则D能力；你也有这样的技巧和能力。
【小题16】D 形容词辨析。A独特B让人惊讶C著名D伟大；你也许没有感觉到自己的技巧的伟大。
【小题17】C 动词辨析。A认出B浪费C改善D留有印象；通过坚持，任何的技能都会得到改善。
【小题18】B 动词辨析。A现象B拥有C期待D发展；如果你不去展示你所拥有的技能，你最好还是不拥有这些技能为好。
【小题19】C 名词辨析。A决定B答案C问题D解决方法；问题不是我的什么技能是有用的？而是我如何来运用我所拥有的技能？
【小题20】B 副词辨析。A甚至B而不是C/D相当地. 问题不是我的什么技能是有用的？而是我如何来运用我所拥有的技能？